actus reus


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actus reus

(ˈæktəs ˈreɪəs)
n
(Law) law a criminal action regarded as a constituent element of a crime, as compared with the state of mind of the perpetrator. Compare mens rea
[Latin, literally: guilty act]
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Noun1.actus reus - activity that transgresses moral or civil lawactus reus - activity that transgresses moral or civil law; "he denied any wrongdoing"
activity - any specific behavior; "they avoided all recreational activity"
brutalisation, brutalization - the activity of treating someone savagely or viciously
usurpation, encroachment, trespass, violation, intrusion - entry to another's property without right or permission
civil wrong, tort - (law) any wrongdoing for which an action for damages may be brought
malversation - misconduct in public office
misbehavior, misbehaviour, misdeed - improper or wicked or immoral behavior
dereliction - willful negligence
malfeasance - wrongful conduct by a public official
misfeasance - doing a proper act in a wrongful or injurious manner
malpractice - a wrongful act that the actor had no right to do; improper professional conduct; "he charged them with electoral malpractices"
malpractice - professional wrongdoing that results in injury or damage; "the widow sued his surgeon for malpractice"
perversion - the action of perverting something (turning it to a wrong use); "it was a perversion of justice"
injury - wrongdoing that violates another's rights and is unjustly inflicted
injury - an act that causes someone or something to receive physical damage
infliction - an act causing pain or damage
evildoing, transgression - the act of transgressing; the violation of a law or a duty or moral principle; "the boy was punished for the transgressions of his father"
knavery, dishonesty - lack of honesty; acts of lying or cheating or stealing
falsification, misrepresentation - a willful perversion of facts
champerty - an unethical agreement between an attorney and client that the attorney would sue and pay the costs of the client's suit in return for a portion of the damages awarded; "soliciting personal injury cases may constitute champerty"
criminal maintenance, maintenance - the unauthorized interference in a legal action by a person having no interest in it (as by helping one party with money or otherwise to continue the action) so as to obstruct justice or promote unnecessary litigation or unsettle the peace of the community; "unlike champerty, criminal maintenance does not necessarily involve personal profit"
infringement, violation - an act that disregards an agreement or a right; "he claimed a violation of his rights under the Fifth Amendment"
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
References in periodicals archive ?
He told about the topics covered criminal Law Module that is Crime and punishment, Element of Crime: Actus Reus, Element of Crime: Mens Rea, Abetment, Criminal Conspiracy, Offences against the state and public tranquillity, QATL, Hurt, Wrongful restraint, Wrongful confinement and assault, Kidnapping and abduction, Theft and Extortion, Robbery and Dacoity, Forgery, Offences relating to marriage, Anti-Terrorism Act-1997, Sindh Arms Act-2013 and control of Narcotics Substance Act-1997 etc.
One of the most fundamental tenets of criminal law (at least in common law jurisdictions) is that there are two essential elements to a crime: mens rea (a guilty mind) and actus reus (a guilty act).
But while Medeiros possessed the mens rea to commit a probation violation, Wendlandt said she and Milkey believe the Commonwealth had not demonstrated the actus reus necessary to make out a violation.
"There is a real risk that prosecuting authorities will pursue such an approach in the future and Mr Rebelo now has two criminal convictions for manslaughter, as well as the regulatory offence, for one actus reus."
prevent births--the actus reus of serious bodily or mental harm is not a
The evaluation of these matters would also involve the nature of liability under the constitutional and statutory provisions relating to qualifications of a parliamentarian and whether the Actus Reus had to be accompanied by Mens Rea (intention) or whether the offence was one of strict liability.'
In the appeal, the couple through their counsel Raja Rizwan Abbasi and Raja Farooq Haider requested the court to set aside the judgment of April 17 on grounds that conviction to the extent of section 328-A of Pakistan Penal Code is based upon speculation, presumption, surmises, conjectures and mens-rea and actus reus of the section can't be presumed by the court.
His topics include actus reus, accomplice and vicarious liability, conspiracy, sex crimes, and justification defenses.
On appeal, Perkins has argued only that the evidence was insufficient to infer intent to maliciously wound, conceding that evidence supports the actus reus of the crime.
Mens rea and actus reus come from the Latin phrase "actus reus non facit reum nisi mens sit rea", which means that no act is punishable unless the mind is guilty.
The court verdict went further on page 66 stating, "in other words the trial judge should discuss mens rea and actus reus (action and intention) of different offences alleged to have been committed by each individual in order to prove guilt or commission of the alleged offence beyond reasonable doubt".